"If it might be arranged--" The don was studying the situation and the
man together. "Almost have I grasped the thread that will unravel the
whole. No, no! I do not mean your going, Senor. That would but limber
the tongue of scandal; and besides, I do not mean that I withdraw my
friendship from you. A man must be narrow, indeed, if he cannot carry
more than one friendship in his soul.
"Sit you down, Senor, while I think a moment," he urged. "Surely it can
be arranged without hurt to the fair name of--of any. Riatas--ah, now I
have it, Senor! Dullard, not to have thought of it at once! Truly must I
be in my dotage!" He did not mean that, of course, and he was quite
openly pleased when Jack smiled and shook his head.
"Listen, Senor, and tell me if the plan is not a good one! To-morrow
Valencia shall ride back to the rodeo, with a message to all from me,
Don Andres Picardo. I shall proclaim a fiesta, Senor--such a fiesta as
even Monterey never rivaled in the good old days when we were subject to
his Majesty, the King. A fiesta we shall have, as soon as may be after
the rodeo is over. There will be sports such as you Americanos know
nothing of, Senor. And there openly, before all the people, you shall
contest with Jose for a prize which I shall give, and for the medalla
oro if you will; for you shall have the privilege of challenging Jose,
the champion, to contest for the medalla.
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